DOES GOD EXIST? TODAY

April 2, 2026April 1, 2026

The Crucifixion of Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol

In June 1968, during excavation in Jerusalem to build apartments, archaeologists discovered a first-century Jewish burial site. One significant find from that excavation relates to the crucifixion of Yohanan Ben Ha‘galgol.

Jewish burial customs in the first century included the use of ossuaries. An ossuary is a limestone box, often with ornate carvings, used to hold the bones of a deceased. They typically had the name carved into them. After the initial burial and decomposition, the bones would be collected and placed into the ossuary to save burial space. At this Jerusalem site, archaeologists uncovered the remains of 35 Jews. They apparently died around AD 70, during the Jewish uprising against Rome, with evidence of violent deaths caused by beating, starvation, burning, or arrow wounds.

One man, estimated to be 24 to 28 years old and about 5 feet 7 inches tall, had been crucified. His bones still bore a 7-inch spike driven sideways through the heels, with small pieces of wood attached. Nails had also been driven through the radius and ulna bones near the hands. The radius bone, in particular, was scratched and worn smooth where the nail passed through. During crucifixion, victims had to pull themselves up to breathe, then fall back exhausted until, lacking the strength to continue, they would suffocate. This movement had apparently worn the ulna bone in Yohanan’s case. We know his name because it was carved into his ossuary.

Yohanan’s leg bones were broken—his left tibia and fibula, and his right tibia—likely struck by a single blow. According to John 19:31-35, Roman soldiers would sometimes break the legs of crucifixion victims to hasten death. In Jesus’ case, they didn’t have to break His legs because He was already dead, confirmed by the spear thrust into His side.

Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol’s crucifixion confirms that Romans nailed victims through the heels or feet and wrists, causing agonizing death by suffocation over several hours. Sometimes, bodies were left on crosses for days as an example for others. At other times, soldiers broke the legs to speed up death—not for the victim’s benefit, but to expedite the crucifixion process.

Nearly two millennia later, Yohanan Ben Ha’galgol’s crucifixion helps us better understand what Jesus endured on the cross. Before crucifixion, Jesus had suffered a beating and blood loss, nearly to death, and a crown of thorns pressed on His head, causing blood to stream over His face. But His greatest anguish was when He cried out, “God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Being separated from the Father for the first time in eternity is beyond our understanding, but we know He endured it all for us.

April 1, 2026March 31, 2026

The Last Supper and What It Means to Us

Everyone is familiar with Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, The Last Supper. The painting shows the moment after Jesus revealed to His apostles that one of them would betray Him. We see each apostle’s reaction. Leonardo divided the twelve into four groups of three.

On the far right of Jesus, we see Bartholomew, James (the son of Alphaeus), and Andrew with surprised looks. Next is Peter, holding a knife that perhaps he would later use to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. He leans over to John, the youngest apostle, who seems to have swooned, perhaps telling him to ask Jesus who the betrayer is. Judas, leaning forward between Peter and John, holds the money bag and reaches for the same loaf of bread Jesus is reaching for.

On Jesus’ left side, we see Thomas, James (the brother of Jesus), and Philip. Thomas looks to be questioning what Jesus just said about betrayal. James appears stunned, while Philip seeks clarification. On the far end of the table, we see Matthew, Jude (Thaddeus), and Simon the Zealot. Matthew and Thaddeus are looking at Simon. Did they suspect him?

Leonardo spent a lot of time walking around Milan looking for ordinary individuals to model the faces of the apostles. After all, the apostles were just ordinary people. Does the painting accurately show the real setting of the Last Supper? Probably not. The Bible says they gathered in a large above-ground room (Mark 14:18). It might have been the same place where Jesus appeared to them a week after His resurrection. The painting depicts a banquet hall with all the men seated on one side of a long table covered with a white cloth with blue stripes, and each man has a glass and a plate. In the first century, it was common to follow the Roman custom of reclining on a U-shaped arrangement of lounges called a triclinium around a small table.

Does the painting accurately show the apostles’ immediate reactions? We have no way of knowing, but it’s interesting to think about. If you were one of the apostles, how would you have reacted? Would you be shocked to learn your friend and teacher was about to be betrayed and killed? Would you want to know who the betrayer was? Could it be you?

Jesus told His apostles what was ahead to prepare them for the grief they would soon face. At the Last Supper, He also gave them the symbols of a loaf and a cup, to remind them whenever they gathered of His sacrifice — His body and blood. It also reminds us “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26) that everything happened according to God’s plan to redeem all who accept His gift of grace through Jesus Christ.

Reference: Wikipedia.com

March 31, 2026March 30, 2026

A Class Hated for Their Abominations

Is it possible that Christians could be a class hated for their abominations and their hatred against mankind? Unfortunately, the answer is “yes.” Building on yesterday’s account of Suetonius, we have the report of another Roman historian. Cornelius Tacitus lived around AD 55-120. He is known as “the greatest historian of ancient Rome.” Tacitus wrote Annals around AD 115, in which he recounts the great fire that burned much of Rome during Nero’s reign. Here is a shocking excerpt from that account: (Emphasis added)

“Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular.

“Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination when daylight had expired.

“Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man’s cruelty, that they were being destroyed.”

Nero probably set the fire himself, but he had to blame someone, and Christians were not popular in pagan Rome, even among the Jews living there. Christians became the scapegoats. Notice Tacitus’ historical confirmation of the biblical account of Christ’s crucifixion.

Could Christians today become “a class hated for their abominations” and “hatred for mankind”? In some countries and among some groups, they already are. As Christians, we must follow Christ’s teaching and example and love even those who hate us. (See Matthew 5:43-48.)

March 30, 2026March 29, 2026

Christians Accused of Being Troublemakers

Recently, we noted that Paul caused trouble for the silversmiths who made idols of Artemis in Ephesus. So many people were converting to Christianity that it was hurting the sale of Artemis idols. A riot broke out when Demetrius the silversmith accused the apostle Paul of being a troublemaker. History records other instances of Christians accused of being troublemakers.

During Emperor Claudius’s reign in AD 49, a series of riots erupted among the Jews in Rome. At that time, many Jews were becoming Christians, and the Jews who rejected the gospel didn’t like it. Claudius decided to expel all the Jews from the city. Roman historian Suetonius, who served as chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian (117-138), recorded this event. Though he wrote later, his position gave him access to the imperial records. He wrote:

“Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city.”

“Chrestus” is a variant spelling of “Christ,” and Suetonius could not distinguish between Christ and the Christians. They were Christians accused of being troublemakers. We read in Acts 18:1-2 about two of the Jewish Christians who were expelled from Rome:

“After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome.”

Suetonius’s account provides evidence from a reputable Roman historian supporting the biblical record. After meeting Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth, Paul preached to the Jews there, telling them Jesus was the Christ (Acts 18:5). However, the Jews “opposed Paul and became abusive” (verse 6), just as they had in Rome. This led Paul to declare that he was free from his responsibility to the Jews. He said, “From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.”

Suetonius also wrote about the great fire in Rome, likely started by Nero, who blamed it on Christians. More on that tomorrow. The key point is that Roman history confirms the biblical account. Earlier in Thessalonica, Christians accused of being troublemakers were called “these who have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Actually, they were turning it right side up, and we still have much work to do in that regard today.

March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

The Night Sky Is in Danger

Five months ago, we reported that a California company called Reflect Orbital planned to place 4,000 solar mirrors in a sun-synchronous orbit to reflect sunlight into Earth’s twilight areas. They claimed it would extend the hours of solar energy production, allow people to work later, improve safety, and boost crop growth. They planned to test the concept in April 2026. (You can find that posting HERE.) Now, space.com reports that they want to place 50,000 orbiting mirrors that are three times larger than the original plan. Are we facing the end of the night sky?

Adding to the Reflect Orbital proposal, in January, Elon Musk’s SpaceX announced plans to launch one million power-hungry data centers into space, where they can utilize solar energy. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must approve these plans, which they appear to be fast-tracking. Astronomers worldwide are alarmed.

Robert Massey, deputy director of the Royal British Astronomical Society (RAS), objected that these proposals are “absolutely the destruction of a central part of human heritage.” He said, “It would absolutely transform our view of the sky.” RAS and many other research organizations are filing objections with the FCC.

According to Massey, the night sky would be three times brighter because of Reflect Orbital’s sun-reflecting mirrors, and dark-sky sanctuaries where astronomers place their telescopes would be lost. The SpaceX data centers would not be as bright as the mirrors but would still be visible to the naked eye. Astrophysicist Noelia Noel at the UK’s University of Surrey said, “While innovation in satellite technology brings clear societal benefits, scaling to hundreds or even millions of bright objects—or deliberately illuminating the Earth from orbit—risks fundamentally altering the night sky. This would have profound consequences not only for astronomy but also for ecosystems, our cultural heritage, and our collective relationship with the cosmos.”

When the psalmist David admired the night sky, he had no satellites or solar reflectors to get in the way as he wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day, they pour forth speech; night after night, they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalms 19:1-4) I pray that we will always be able to be in awe of the night sky and see the message of God’s glory it conveys.

Reference: space.com

March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

Who Is Artemis?

In just a few days, as early as April 1, 2026, NASA will send astronauts to the Moon to orbit it and then return to Earth as part of the Artemis program. This will be the first time in over 50 years that American astronauts have traveled to the Moon. NASA named the project Artemis for several reasons. Why did NASA choose this name, and who is Artemis?

In Greek mythology, Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo. During the Apollo program, NASA successfully landed astronauts on the Moon six times between 1961 and 1972. The ancient Greeks believed Apollo was the god of the Sun, and Artemis was the goddess of the Moon. NASA chose to name the project Artemis to connect it to earlier lunar missions. Additionally, the Greeks believed Artemis was protective and closely linked to nature. This lunar mission emphasizes sustainability and long-term exploration. While the Apollo missions landed near the Moon’s equator, the Artemis astronauts will explore toward the Moon’s south pole, where they hope to find water. Another reason for choosing a female goddess is that NASA plans to land the first woman on the Moon.

So, who is Artemis? You may be familiar with the incident in Ephesus described in Acts 19. Ephesus was a Greek city in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). It was home to a temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Paul had been preaching there for two years (verse 10) and had led many people to be “baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus” (verse 5). Verse 20 states that “the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

The gospel’s success in Ephesus angered some merchants, especially a silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis. Selling these idols brought in a lot of money for the local merchants. Demetrius stirred up a crowd, telling them that Paul was convincing people that “man-made gods were no gods at all.” He warned: “There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

Demetrius’s speech caused a stir, and the entire city was in an uproar (verse 29). The people seized Paul’s companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, and took them into the theater. Only the city clerk was able to calm and dismiss the crowd, telling them that the matter should be settled in court, not in the theater of public opinion.

The question of “who is Artemis” can be answered by saying she is “no goddess at all.” I pray that the Artemis mission will be safe and successful. I also pray that we, as a nation, will not depend on false gods or goddesses but will turn to the one true God, just as many of the people in Ephesus did.

March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

The Benefits of Sunlight

It’s springtime, and one of the great things about this season is that it gives us more daylight hours. The benefits of sunlight and its warmth help plants grow, making everything feel new. In Genesis 1:14, we read that God cleared the air to make the lights in the sky visible, so they could separate day from night and serve as signs for seasons, days, and years. Animals rely on the Sun, Moon, and stars to know when to breed and when and how to migrate. Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis, which produces oxygen that humans and animals need.

The benefits of sunlight include both our physical and mental health. Sunlight regulates our circadian rhythm, the biological clock that controls sleep, appetite, and hormone production. Daylight boosts serotonin levels, signaling it’s time to wake up. Spending time outside in the sunlight helps our bodies produce vitamin D, which may help protect against dementia, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.

After a long, dark winter, going outside to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air makes us feel refreshed. Even sitting near a window with sunlight streaming in improves our mood. Light therapy is sometimes used to treat depression, especially seasonal depression during the winter months. While we consider the benefits of sunlight, we need to remember that excessive direct exposure to ultraviolet light can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Genesis 1:15 states that the “lights in the expanse of the sky” were meant to “give light on the earth.” John 1:4-5 tells us Jesus came to bring true light to the world. We could not live without the benefits of sunlight, and I wouldn’t want to live in a world without Jesus, who came to bring us light and life. John also reminds us that Jesus created the light and everything else that exists. (See John 1:1-14.)

March 23, 2026March 22, 2026

Knee Joint Design in Humans

One common criticism used by atheists against the existence of God is the so-called “poor design” of the human body. They criticize many areas, with the knee joint often being a focal point. In reality, a healthy knee joint has an impressive range of motion and can last for decades without significant wear. No human-engineered prosthetic knee can match this longevity. Even with the best available materials, all prosthetic knees tend to show signs of wear after just a few years.

One of the leading critics of the human body’s design is Nathan H. Lents, a scientist, author, and professor affiliated with the City University of New York (CUNY). He is especially critical of the knee joint. As an advocate for human evolution, he claims, “The problem is due to incomplete adaptation.” He states, “The anatomical adaptation to upright walking never quite finished in humans. We have several defects that are the result of the failure to complete the process… The ACL is vulnerable to tearing in humans because our upright bipedal posture forces it to endure much more strain than it is designed to.” It’s interesting that he used the word “designed,” even though he does not believe it was designed. He believes it simply evolved through natural selection acting on random mutations.

The truth is, the human knee functions as what engineers call a floating joint because it has no fixed center of rotation — it is free to rotate and roll. It is stabilized by ligaments, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). These ligaments work together with the femur and tibia to form a four-bar linkage mechanism. Professor Lents refers to people tearing the ACLs. However, the ACL is not a bad design. Injuries to it are uncommon in everyday life but are more frequent in high-impact sports such as soccer and ski jumping. Sports like tennis or skating generally do not pose a significant risk to the ACL.

Being overweight is another common factor contributing to knee problems. In the United States, more than two-thirds of adults are overweight, and one in three is obese. Just ten extra pounds of weight can add approximately sixty pounds of force to each knee during running. Obese individuals are twenty times more likely to require a knee replacement than those who are not overweight.

In reality, the knee joint is an ingenious design, as you can see in the illustration. Engineer Stuart Burgess explores this in detail in his excellent book, Ultimate Engineering. Many who view the human body as a product of evolution assume it is poorly designed without understanding the facts. God has created the human body with many remarkable engineering features, including our knee joints. Truly, ultimate engineering requires an Ultimate Engineer.

March 20, 2026March 19, 2026

Access to the Bible

This ministry is dedicated to affirming that science and the Christian faith are allies that support each other. The Christian faith is based on the belief system presented in the Bible, which we believe is the Word of God. One common challenge from skeptics is the lack of access to the Bible for everyone. It is unreasonable to claim that Christianity cannot be true because most people in the world have not had access to the Bible or learn what it teaches.

Certainly, some people have not had access to the Bible, but claiming that the Bible isn’t available to most people worldwide is not accurate. According to the Wycliffe Global Alliance website, at least part of the scriptures has been translated into 4127 languages. The Search Light from Edmond, Oklahoma, reported that the entire Bible has been translated into 776 languages, and the New Testament into an additional 1,798 languages.

The dictionary defines language as “a system of communication used by a particular country or community.” God has provided everyone with the opportunity to know He exists. (See Romans 1:20.) There are forces in the world that deny God’s existence and attempt to block access to the Bible. Additionally, human-made religions are plentiful and often distract people from God’s message. While work remains to be done, the “Good News” is widely available in both written and spoken forms, and online. It is up to Christians to spread that message, and it is up to each individual to decide whether to act on what Jesus has taught us.

References: Wycliffe Global Alliance and The Search Light (PO Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083-0371) (Website: www.searchtv.org).

March 19, 2026March 18, 2026

Impact of Marijuana on Neurological Development

Widespread marijuana use in the Western world has not been around long enough for its effects to be fully understood. Alcohol has been used much longer, and its destructive effects are well-documented. We are concerned about the impact of marijuana on neurological development in youth. Your author lives in a marijuana hub. Currently, in Buchanan and Niles, Michigan, there are 26 marijuana shops of various kinds. We see license plates from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin belonging to those purchasing marijuana and vape products.

Scientific data on the long-term effects of marijuana are starting to emerge. A recent study tracked the marijuana use of 460,000 young people in California from early adolescence until age 25. It revealed a significant impact of marijuana on neurological development. Thirty-three percent of users developed depression, and twenty-five percent needed treatment for anxiety. Compared to non-users, teens who used marijuana had much higher rates of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Dr. Lynn Silver, a pediatrician at the Public Health Institute, explains that marijuana significantly affects brain receptors, and she hopes their study will encourage kids to think twice before they vape or eat a gummy. She states, “With legalization, we’ve had a tremendous wave of the perception of marijuana as a safe, natural product to treat your stress with. That is simply not true.”

First Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God has His home in you? If anybody desecrates the temple of God, God will bring them to ruin, for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” We see this principle playing out today in the impact of marijuana on neurological development in young people.

References: The Week for March 20, 2026, page 21, cedclinic.com, and healthday.com